When it comes to the baby health, the temperature is the Key indicator. Temperature is the first thing every Moms checks when your child is not feeling well. Before we start the review of 10 Best Baby Thermometers 2018 – Buyers Guide and Review let first understand more about this essential product every mom must have for her baby.

Gone are days we used to place a palm on baby’s forehead or use a method called touch test to know whether the baby has a fever. The method doesn’t give an accurate temperature.

The method proposed by the most pediatricians is using the baby thermometer, and mom must have one in the baby first aid or the house.

Thanks to the technology it has provided us with many different types of Best Baby Thermometers. However, the only problem it becomes difficult for most moms to decide the best thermometer that suits the baby.

That’s why I’ve prepared the best guide and review on 10 Best Baby Thermometers Every Mom Must Have Ever

If you go to this page from beginning to the end, you will know the best thermometer for your, what to check when buying, where to find them in best price and the right way to use.

• Age There are many different types of the thermometer and not all best for all age.

There some for newborns, four months and above, one year and above two years. When purchasing thermometer considers the one that best fits the age of the baby.• Ease of use The sick child becomes irritated when you disturb her don’t find a thermometer that doesn’t have complication steps of use.• Fast Most baby when in pain they are not patient. You should be able to buy a thermometer that will take few seconds to take the temperature.

Most thermometers take less than 10 seconds, and anything longer than that might be inaccurate.• Easy to clean Baby products require to be cleaned and sterilized more often the same case to thermometers. Choose a thermometer that is easy to clean after every use to prevent the spreading of germs.• Consistency When you are checking the baby temperature, you need to check more than once make sure thermometer reading is accurate.

For example, you can’t measure baby temperature and find that is 38C and after five minutes the same thermometer is reading 35C that not consistent.• Modern features Nowadays thermometer comes with advanced technology like: Alarm alert – the majority thermometer has completion signal. When it completes reading the temperature, it alerts with a sound like a beep. Warning indicator – some thermometers have warning sign some changes color when the temperature is high or low. Memory – thermometer with inbuilt memory helps you to record last temperature reading and recall when you need it or when comparing. Optional mode- you can change thermometer reading either Fahrenheit or CelsiusDifferent type of thermometer available in the market

There are different types of the baby thermometer on the market. These includes:

1. Rectal thermometer

2. Ear thermometer

3. Forehead thermometer

4. Oral thermometer

5. Armpit thermometer

6. Multiuse thermometer

7. Pacifier thermometer

8. Strip Thermometer

9. Wearable Thermometer

1. Rectal thermometer

A rectal thermometer is inserted into the baby anus. Although it is not comfortable and some baby hates to be taken the temperature rectally it is the most accurate baby thermometer.

It is suitable for newborn to three months

What to look for when buying Rectal thermometer

When buying a rectal thermometer, make sure you purchase the one that has a

· Wide base it won’t allow insert the thermometer more than an inch

· Flexible tips.

How to use rectal thermometer

Make sure thermometer is clean. You can use warm soapy water and rinse with cold water or clean tip with rubbing alcohol.

Apply the tip with the petroleum jelly

How to hold the baby when taking temperature rectally

Hold your child in either of these positions

Note: choose the one comfortable for your child.

Lay the baby on his back on the flat surface like changing table or bed with his legs bend to his chest.

This is the most comfortable position to most of the baby since they are used to when changing the diaper and still he can see your face so you will be able to distract him with communication.

Alternatively, hold the baby across the lap, stomach down and bottom up.

Insert the thermometer ½ inch to one inch.

Wait until you hear completion alert that indicates it has finished reading.

Remove the thermometer slowly and take your reading

Do and don’t

ü If you feel resistance when inserting the thermometer into the anus, you are not supposed to force but stop with immediate effect

ü Always use lubricants before using a rectal thermometer.

ü Use a rectal thermometer when core temperature is needed. First, use an underarm (axillary) thermometer if temperature exceeds over 99 degrees Fahrenheit that when you use rectal thermometer for accurate readings

ü Do not take the temperature using a rectal thermometer if the patient had rectal surgery, rectal disorders, cardiac disorders and a decrease in platelets

Advantages of Rectal thermometer

ü Accurate

ü Suitable for newborns to 3 months

ü Affordable

Disadvantage of Rectal thermometer

ü Not comfortable when inserting at the anus

Bonus video how to use a rectal thermometer

Ear thermometer

The ear thermometer is also called tympanic or aural. They are inserted into the ear canal. Suitable for babies from 12 years How to use Ear thermometer Make sure the thermometer is clean, and the ear doesn’t have excess wax.

Insert the end of the thermometer into the ear, press start button and wait for finishing alert.

How to take the temperature using the ear thermometer

Advantages of ear thermometer

Read the temperature fast

Not uncomfortable with the baby

Disadvantages of ear thermometer

When you don’t position correctly can present incorrect results

If the baby ear has too much wax can give an inaccurate result.

Forehead thermometer

Forehead thermometer is also called temporal thermometer.

You just point at the baby forehead and take the temperature. It uses infrared technology and is no contact thermometer Suitable for children above three monthsHow to use forehead thermometer

Point across the baby forehead between hairline and eyebrow

Switch on the thermometer

Move the thermometer straight across the baby forehead not down

Then wait until you will hear a beep sound when it has finished taking the temperature.

Advantages of forehead thermometer

ü It safe since it is a non-contact thermometer, so the child will not get an infection

ü Accurate

ü You can take the baby temperature even when is asleep

ü Give reading fast

ü Easy to use

Disadvantages of forehead thermometer

ü Expensive

ü It can give an incorrect result if the room is too cold or hot. So when you bring it to a cold or hot room let it settle for few minutes

Armpit thermometer

Armpit thermometer is also known as under the arm or axillary thermometer. It’s put under the arm and suitable to any age.

How to use Armpit thermometer

Make sure the thermometer is clean.

Remove child cloth from waistline and above

Sit the baby on your lap or place the baby on the bed or changing table

Make sure the armpit is dry

Put the thermometer under the arm (when the child is clothed make sure it will only touch the baby skin and not clothes for the accurate result)

Hold the baby arm tightly to keep a thermometer in the right place and wait until you hear completion alert.

It’s placed under the tongue and is right for children above four years.

It should be avoided to infants and toddlers since they can chew or try to swallow the whole thing.How to use oral thermometer Make sure thermometer is clean, and your kid mouth is clear from gums or food. Place thermometer under the tongue and verify that the child closes the mouth to hold in place. Hold until you hear finish beep. Note If your child was taking the cold or hot drink, wait for 15 minutes before you take the temperature.Advantages of oral thermometer Affordable Gives accurate reading to children above four yearsDisadvantages of oral thermometer It’s not safe for infants and toddlers since they can chew or swallow causing choking hazards.Multiuse thermometer It is used to measure the baby temperature at the different areas of the body – rectal, armpit and orally. Suitable for any ageAdvantages of multiuse thermometer Cheap and locally available When used rectally they give accurate result Can be used to take temperature in different regions – orally, rectally and under the armDisadvantages of multiuse thermometer It can cause damage when used as rectal thermometer since it can be inserted too far into the anus. It can spread germs if not used carefully and hygienically -if used by someone who is not clean can take the baby temperature rectally and use the same to check orally without cleaning.Pacifier thermometer They are made with a thermometer inside the pacifier. Used to measure temperature orally and suitable for young babies.Disadvantages of pacifier thermometer Not recommended by most pediatrician since they give inaccurate results. Cause choking to babies Most of them don’t come with alert alarm to notify completion readingStrip Thermometer

Strip thermometer has a strip which is stuck to the baby skin to read the temperature. They are not recommended by the doctor because they take skin temperature and not bodyWearable Thermometer The wearable Thermometer is the newest technology of thermometer, and they are informed of the bracelet.

They work together with phones or other electronic devices.

Once you know the temperature, you can send data using phone or Wi-Fi to professional doctors or caregiver. Summary table of different types of thermometer and suitable age

Thermometer

newborn(0-4months)

4months- 1 year

1-3 years

above 4 years

Rectal thermometer

yes

yes

yes

no

Ear thermometer

no

yes

yes

yes

Forehead thermometer

no

yes

yes

yes

oral thermometer

no

no

no

yes

Armpit thermometer/axillary

no

yes

yes

yes

Important note Best recommended temperature is about 36.4C (97.5F) something above 37C is considered to be higher.

Clean thermometer after every use so that you prevent germs from growing.

Whichever type of thermometer you are going to use don’t take the baby temperature immediately after a bath or if the baby was swaddled. Wait for 20 minutes

The old mercury thermometer is not recommended it has toxin which exposes your child to danger.

If you have a multi-use thermometer, choose one for a specific area to avoid distribution bacteria. For instance, use a rectal thermometer to take the temperature at anus but don’t use the same thermometer to take temperature orally.

If it’s your first time to use digital thermometer, please read manufacturer instruction]

Pro Non-Contact Baby Forehead Thermometer Comes with a bonus FLEXIBLE TIP WATERPROOF RECTAL THERMOMETER so the whole set is suitable for all ages. It’s economical since it comes with both forehead and rectal thermometer Fast and reliable Provide instant reading Backlight and silent mode It is Versatile can be used to check child, food, formula, bath, and room.

It comes with complementary pouch to keep the thermometer safe and clean

Cons

Make sure your child’s forehead is free of sweat, dirt, and oils, otherwise it will cause inconsistent readings

Before taking temperature make sure your child and thermometer should be indoors at the same temperature for at least 20 minutes to get an accurate measurement.

Non-contact Forehead Digital Thermometer thus reduces the risk of infection and cross contamination. It can also be used as Baby Room Thermometer Instant Results in less than a second For Home or Pediatric Use Optional mode you can change from Celsius to Fahrenheit

You can retrieve the last reading to track history

Medical Dr. Madre is a talking thermometer can talk in English and Spanish. Can be set in a silent mode which allows taking temperature in the dark room It has completion alert sound. Easy to operate

Cons

Most customers complain the beep is loud and sucks such that can easily wake the sleeping baby up.

It’s a non-touch thermometer thus reduce risks risk of infection and cross contamination You can take temperature either in Fahrenheit or Celsius mode Delivers instant and accurate results Easy to read with backlit LCDInnovo Forehead and Ear Thermometer (Dual Mode)

It is both Forehead and Ear Thermometer Since its clinical approved, it gives accurate and reliable readings Easy to use – Measurement is done by press of button press F1 for forehead and F2 for ear Inbuilt memory – Can store and recall up to 20 readings Can take both Fahrenheit or Celsius mode

Cons

It is not easy to take temperature at night or dark environment because the thermometer does not have backlight feature.

It has a highly sensitive tip which is best for taking temperature mouth, armpit and rectal. The tip is waterproof thermometer which is very easy to clean with soap and warm water or rubbing alcohol

The thermometer indicates when the temperature is right, high or too high. It has a face indicator accompanying the readings (happy face means good temperature; straight face means slightly temperature and bad face high fever)

It stores the last temperature sensed and keeps aware variation of your baby temperature

Feature dual mode, makes the thermometer give the reading either in Fahrenheit and Celsius

Cons

The only disadvantage the thermometer doesn’t have a backlit display, therefore, makes hard to take the readings in the darkness.

It doesn’t have flexible tip which makes it easy to insert rectally (check the best iproven thermometer with flexible tip below)

The thermometer can be used to measure temperature on either forehead or ear. Just install forehead cap, press the button of scan to measure the forehead temperature. Remove the forehead cap, and thermometer enters into ear measuring mode.

This thermometer can take the temperature in Fahrenheit and Celsius.

Features backlit display that makes thermometer easy to take the reading in dark environment

Memory storage function can store temperature measurement.

Two –color LED indication. If the body temperature is good green LED lights up and when high red LED lights up

Made of nontoxic material, BPA free plastic and orthodontic which who is waterproof and impact resistant makes it safe for the child

It comes with storage cover which keeps nipple clean.

The thermometer gives accurate temperature reading and has memory reading which gives the last result.

It has Non-replaceable battery sealed for safety.

This pacifier type thermometer monitors child temperature after every five minutes and automatically shut off after approximately 25 minutes.

The product indicates temperature above 99.9 degrees Fahrenheit.

Contact your medical professional if you have any questions.

If you didn’t like our choices, please feel free to find your choice here. You will most likely find one you like.

If you have a good thermometer, suggestion or any other information that you would like to add to the list 10 Best Baby Thermometers 2018 – Buyers Guide and Review don’t hesitate to comment in the comment section below.

About The Author

My name is Lucy Wangari, and I am a full time stay at home mom of two. I am the owner of http://www.creativemomsweb.com. The blog is about life as a Stay-at-Home Mom. Designed to enlighten stay at home mom how to balance everyday life, make most of the little they have, learn to turn their passion into a tool to earn money and become successful while they are in the comfort of their home.

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